I'll be visiting Mono Lake area June 18-20, and looking for trails for a day-long hike. I was originally planning Mount Dana, but it looks like most of the trails above 7500 ft are still under snow, thanks to the wonderful drought-busting season. Any recommendations for trails of about similar difficulty as Mount Dana hike would be much appreciated.

Anything that goes up that high is going to have the same problem...way too much snow this year.

You might get in some miles hiking up either Leavitt Meadows or Buckeye Canyon. There are both on the east side, start well below 8,000 feet, and take you up long more or less gradual canyons. Eventually, if you want ot keep going, you'll have to cross the creek/river. And they may be more than you want to tackle with all the snowmelt. Be careful.

But those are a couple of hikes that will allow you to stretch your legs.

Recent reports on the various Sierra Nevada forums describe east side trails as clear well above 7500 feet. Much more if you're willing to add microspikes or do some snoeshowing. The June Lake loop hwy 158 is open and worldview shows it snow free. You could head up any of the trails in that area (Bloody Canyon, Parker Creek, Rush Creek, Yost/Fern Lakes). Then just turn around if the snow gets too thick for your desires and try the next one if you've not tired.

For peaks, 10,900 foot Carson Peak is a lower elevation one that has good views. It's listed on Summitpost as class 2 from Fern Lake, though snow conditions may well alter that.

Many thanks for the info! I'll check out the trails you've listed, as well as NASA World View. I didn't know about it. Thanks for pointing it out. It's a great resource!

Dave_Ayers wrote:Recent reports on the various Sierra Nevada forums describe east side trails as clear well above 7500 feet. Much more if you're willing to add microspikes or do some snoeshowing. The June Lake loop hwy 158 is open and worldview shows it snow free. You could head up any of the trails in that area (Bloody Canyon, Parker Creek, Rush Creek, Yost/Fern Lakes). Then just turn around if the snow gets too thick for your desires and try the next one if you've not tired.

For peaks, 10,900 foot Carson Peak is a lower elevation one that has good views. It's listed on Summitpost as class 2 from Fern Lake, though snow conditions may well alter that.